Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly practical and eco-friendly while meeting consumer demand for style and comfort. As their popularity grows – along with the price of oil – they are also becoming a cost-effective alternative that can save drivers a significant amount on petrol costs in the long run.

UAE government

In recent years, the UAE government has emphasized initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. They have recognized the potential ecological and economic benefits of electric cars. To this end, they have introduced several major incentives for drivers to switch to electric cars. Some benefits include:

• Reduced RTA (Road and Transport Authority) vehicle registration and renewal fees. This is a major draw for potential electric car buyers, as it saves time and money.
• A free Salik tag. Salik is Dubai’s automatic toll road collection system that all vehicles are required to have to travel on Dubai’s highways. The nominal fee for this tag is completely waived for electric vehicles.
• Free-parking zones for zero-carbon emission vehicles. While most areas have a pay-and-park policy, there are an increasing number of areas that are cost-free for electric cars.
• Free E-Car charging. Probably the biggest incentive, motorists currently have access to over 100 DEWA public electric vehicle charging stations dotted around the emirates. Many more EV charging stations are planned for the near future, increasing the viability of electric cars.

What About Insurance for Electric Cars?

Insurance plans and services for electric cars seem to be much the same as those for conventional cars. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for electric vehicles as with any other car. Optional insurance policies such as natural disaster cover, breakdown recovery, and personal effects cover are, on paper, the same for electric cars as for their petrol engine counterparts.

Long History

However, car insurance for electric cars is new to the Middle East. Despite their surprisingly long history, it’s only in recent decades that electric cars have begun to become practical, commercially viable, and widespread. While they are gaining popularity in large economies, worldwide there is still relatively little historical data on electric vehicle insurance. In most cases, the cost of parts for E-cars can’t be accurately compared to regular cars. The result is that even the average claims cost for electric cars is not clear.

However, as time passes and electric cars become more popular, more comprehensive E-car-specific policies will be created. Currently, several insurance companies already offer insurance policies specific to electric cars, and most are willing to provide comprehensive policies for E-car motorists.

CompareInsurance is the easiest way to review your options for electric car insurance, to find the best policy for your car.